Ergonomic and eco design approaches form the basis of our design solutions. Color, pattern, material experimentation as well as quality and longevity of finishes and construction are an integral part of Erika’s design style.  Erika is a professor specializing in eco design at Parsons School of Product Design - the New School - NYC.  She has co-developed and presented a full day seminar on “Educating the Educators: Crash Course on Eco Design” which she inaugurated at Parsons September 2003.  A long standing member of O2NY, she co-produced the successful “Assigment: Green” at the Municipal Art Society, an exhibition of the state of eco design education in six prominent NYC area design schools.  She is co-founder of The Association of Women Industrial Designers (AWID) where she co-produced “Goddess in the Details: Industrial Design by Women.”

At Square Indigo, we have worked closely with sustainable designers and “Green” suppliers to find non-toxic alternatives to standard building materials. We have found sources to re-use and recycle materials removed during demolition and we are always searching for innovative ways to use “scrap” and non-conventional building materials. Our Green jobs have generally been for clients concerned about health issues. Our Green practices are being incorporated into all our jobs in recognition of the health of all our clients and crew. We are currently building out an apartment for one of the company principals that is going to be ALL sustainable and non-toxic.

I have incorporated a variety of green building methods (deconstruction and reuse) and materials into seven residential remodeling projects to date. I am a NARI Certified Green Building Professional and am currently enrolled in Sonoma State University’s Green Building Professional Certificate Program.